Overview On 6 March 2026 , more than 140 international flights were cancelled across four major Indian airports as the escalating West Asia crisis disrupted air routes. The cancellations reflect the immediate impact of geopolitical tensions on civil aviation and passenger mobility. Key Developments At Mumbai Airport , 39 departures and 34 arrivals were cancelled (total 73 flights). Bangalore Airport saw 33 flights cancelled – 15 departures and 18 arrivals. Delhi Airport experienced 29 cancellations – 15 departures and 14 arrivals. Kolkata Airport had 7 flights cancelled – four departures and three arrivals. The civil aviation ministry reported a total of 281 domestic carrier flights cancelled on 5 March 2026. Akasa Air announced a Mumbai‑Jeddah‑Mumbai service on 6 March and scheduled additional flights from Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kochi to Jeddah on 7 March. SpiceJet arranged 14 special flights from the UAE to bring back Indian travelers. Important Facts The flight disruptions stem from the closure of large swathes of airspace in U.S.-Israel and Iran . The cancellations affected both inbound and outbound flights, disrupting passenger travel, cargo movement, and airline revenue streams. UPSC Relevance Understanding how geopolitical conflicts translate into operational challenges for civil aviation is crucial for several UPSC topics: GS2 – International Relations: Impact of regional wars on global connectivity and India's diplomatic posture. GS2 – Polity: Role of the civil aviation ministry in crisis management and coordination with airlines. GS3 – Economy: Economic implications for the aviation sector, tourism, and ancillary services due to sudden flight cancellations. GS4 – Ethics: Decision‑making regarding passenger safety versus commercial pressures. Way Forward To mitigate future disruptions, the following measures are advisable: Strengthen real‑time monitoring of geopolitical developments and maintain a dynamic airspace risk matrix . Develop contingency protocols with airlines for rapid rerouting, charter operations, and passenger repatriation. Enhance bilateral coordination with neighboring countries to secure alternative corridors when primary routes are closed. Invest in communication platforms to keep passengers informed and reduce panic. These steps will help safeguard India’s aviation ecosystem against external shocks while ensuring continuity of essential services.